Panthers take LB Wallace in 3rd round

The Carolina Panthers selected Kentucky linebacker Trevin Wallace in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, No. 72 overall.

Wallace is the first defensive player Carolina drafted this year. The Panthers took wide receiver Xavier Legette and running back Jonathon Brooks in the first two rounds.

Wallace set career highs with 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 2023. The 21-year-old has also amassed three interceptions over the last two seasons. He'll add immediate depth to the middle of the Panthers' defense. Shaq Thompson and recently signed Josey Jewell are expected to enter the 2024 campaign as Carolina's starters at inside linebacker.

Pre-draft profile

Whoever selects Wallace will do it more for who they believe he can be rather than who he is now. The Kentucky linebacker is an intriguing gadget that his next team will have to figure out how to maximize. He has a lot of tools in his arsenal, including athleticism - his standout feature. While his instincts and processing are below average, he can recover quickly because of his burst and quickness. He can also hang in coverage, whether that means carrying a target up the seam or dropping to the flat. There's a lot of good in Wallace - it's all about whether it all comes together.